It’s that time again. New shoes, backpacks, notebooks, and pencils. These items can mean nothing but back to school! Your child may be overjoyed to start school or he or she may be dreading the end of summer break.Either way back to school comes with back to GERMS!

Sure, your kids are excited to see their friends they’ve been away from for the past three months, but those beloved friends expose your kids to lots and lots of germs they’ve been away from all summer.

What can you do to protect them?

Kids getting sick is completely unavoidable, but there is something simple you can do to keep those sick days to a minimum. What could it be? Teach your kids to wash their hands regularly! However, it’s important that they do this properly.

According to the CDC, one should:

Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.

Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Be sure to lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.

Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.

Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.

Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.

Try to make it a point to teach your children not only the importance of washing their hands but also the proper way to do it! Teach by example as well.

I don’t know about you, but it just seems to be getting hotter and hotter. Every time I step outside my house, I feel like I immediately start to sweat! If you’re pregnant this summer, becoming overheated can be a serious risk.

Why?

Pregnant women have more blood than the average woman, and more blood flowing through your body makes you hotter! So, if you’re pregnant this summer (or any summer) it’s important to be more careful than you’re used to.

Stay hydrated

Stay in the shade

Limit your time at the pool or the beach

Limit your time doing yard work

Honestly, if the sun’s blazing it’s best to not be outside at all!

You might have heat exhaustion if you experience:

Heavy sweating

Feel faint, dizzy, weak, or tired

Have a headache

You’re breathing faster

Your heart is beating faster

Muscle cramps

Nausea, vomiting, or upset stomach

If heat exhaustion isn’t properly treated, a heat stroke can occur. This is a medical emergency and should be treated as such.

Talk to your doctor about any precautions you may need to take as the days are getting hotter!

It’s about that time of year again. Time to start spreading the word about our Annual 5K Run for Life!

For the 3rd year we will be holding our 5K run to raise funds and awareness for our center. The last two years have provided such fun times, and it has been a blessing to see the many people who come out to support Cross Roads. And this year we’ve added a 2 mile walk for those who want to support Cross Roads but don’t run. We are so excited about this addition!

You can click here for all the details or see the flyer below that we’ve begun circulating!

Please feel free to share this information with your churches, small groups, friends, family, anyone you know who would be interested.

We’re also looking for volunteers to help with the race. If you’re interested in volunteering, e-mail or call us today!

As a pregnancy care center, we don’t talk much about when a pregnancy test comes back negative. We all assume that a late period means you’re pregnant, but what if you have a late period but your pregnancy test comes back negative?

This could mean one of two things:

You, indeed, are not pregnant or

You are pregnant but it’s too early to show on a urine pregnancy test

There are several reasons that you might miss a period even if you’re not pregnant. These include (but are not limited to)

When we think about a newborn baby, we typically smile in delight as we watch the new mother care for her new bundle of joy. With all the coos and laughs and first everythings, from the outside it seems as though having a new baby is a joyful experience. And it can be for some.

But…

The reality of it all is that postpartum depression occurs in 10 to 20 percent of all mothers according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. Postpartum depression should not be confused by the typical “baby blues,” however, which begins within the first few days after delivery and can last for up to two weeks. Postpartum depression is a more severe, long-lasting form of depression that eventually may cause you to be unable to care for your baby or handle other daily tasks according to the Mayo Clinic.

Symptoms to look for:

Depressed mood

Severe mood swings

Excessive crying

Difficulty bonding with your new baby

Withdrawing from relationships

Appetite change

Change in sleep patterns (insomnia or sleeping too much)

Fatigue

Loss of interest in things that used to bring you joy

Intense anger or irritability

Inability to think clearly

Anxiety and panic attacks

Suicidal or homicidal thoughts

The best thing for you do to is to talk to your doctor if you’re concerned you may be experiencing postpartum depression. He or she will be able to assess your symptoms more thoroughly, make a diagnosis, as well as get you the assistance you may need.

Babies have very sensitive skin and can become sunburned easily. The short term effects are pain, fever and dehydration, while the long term effects can be a higher risk of cancer as well as wrinkles later in life. It is so important to protect your baby from the sun as much as you can.

Infant skin (0 to 6 months) is too sensitive for sunscreen, so instead make sure to keep them out of direct sunlight by always keeping them shaded. Wide brim hats are a great option and they’re cute too! You can keep the sun protective cover on your stroller or car seat up, after all that’s what it’s there for. And lightweight clothing that covers your baby’s arms and legs are protective and cool and the same time.

At 6 to 12 months it becomes safe to apply sunscreen on your baby however that shouldn’t be the only thing you do to keep your baby from getting a painful sunburn. Keeping your baby shaded is still a good idea. When applying sunscreen make sure to cover any unprotected areas of your baby’s skin such as hands, feet and face. Be careful not to get sunscreen in your baby’s eyes, especially if you are using a spray. Sprays should never be applied directly to baby’s face; they should be misted into your hands and then spread on your baby’s face.

Once your baby becomes a toddler it can be more difficult to protect them from the sun. They can now crawl and walk on there own and you can no longer keep them shaded all of the time. It is very important to keep sunscreen on your child when he or she might be in the sun, even if it is for a short time. Keeping your child out of the sun between 10am and 4pm will help as well because this is the hottest and sunniest time of the day.

By planning ahead just a little and making sure your baby has what he or she needs to be protected from the sun at every age you can keep your baby’s skin soft, smooth, and pain free.

Any specific questions can and should be directed to your dermatologist.

It’s springtime and I don’t know about you, but it seems like seasonal allergies are rearing their ugly head heavy this year. Sneezing, itchy and watery eyes, runny nose, coughing, and a scratchy throat seem to be something most of us are waking up experiencing. But what about your new baby? Can babies experience seasonal allergies like we do?

Yes

Allergy symptoms can be incredibly similar to the symptoms of a cold, but your baby isn’t going to be able to tell the difference and you may not be able to either! Your best bet is to ask your pediatrician first. If it is determined that seasonal allergies are the culprit for your baby’s symptoms, you may want to limit his or her exposure to outside allergens. This includes:

Keeping your windows closed

Keeping your baby inside as much as possible

Keeping the house clean of dust

Keeping the air ducts to your baby’s room closed

Giving your baby a bath daily to remove any allergens that may be on your baby’s skin or hair

If your baby’s symptoms still persist, it may be a good idea to ask your pediatrician to recommend an antihistamine. Also, don’t fret too much. Seasonal allergies are just that…seasonal.

Having a baby prematurely can be one of the most surprising and frightening things in life. Birth is always a miracle, but it can be overshadowed by concern about your baby’s health if he or she is a born too early. However, there’s much you can do to take care of your baby and yourself if you find you’re in this situation.

Special Challenges of Preemies

Your baby may have some challenges you weren’t expecting to have to deal with. Many preemies, however, catch up and experience completely normal and healthy development. Some of these challenges include:

Allow yourself plenty of time to healafter childbirth. Eat healthy and get as much rest as you can. When your doctor says it’s okay, make time for exercise.

Acknowledge your emotions. Expect a wide range of emotions. You may be all over the spectrum, but give yourself permission to take things one day at a time. Remember your partner or spouse may react completely differently, but that’s completely normal. Support each other.

Take a break when you need it. You may leave the hospital before your baby does. Use your time at home to prepare for your baby’s arrival. Your baby needs you, but it’s important to make time for yourself and the rest of your family.

Be honest with your baby’s siblings. If you have other children, answer their questions about the new baby simply. You may explain that their baby brother or sister is sick and you’re worried, but reassure them. Show them pictures of the baby since they probably won’t be allowed in the NICU. They’ll want to know all about their new baby brother or sister.

Accept help from others. Allow friends and loved ones to care for your older children, prepare food, clean the house, or run errands. Let them know what would be most helpful for you.

Seek support. Surround yourself with understanding friends and family. Talk with other NICU parents, join a local support group, and check online communities for parents of preemies. If you’re feeling depressed, there is no shame in seeking professional counseling or talking to your pastor.

Bringing baby home. When you finally get to bring your baby home, you may feel a mixture of excitement and anxiety. You may be nervous about taking your baby home and leaving the medical team who has cared for your baby. Keep in mind, however, that as you spend more time with your baby you’ll better understand how to meet his or her needs.

As a reminder, measure your baby’s development by his or her corrected age. This is your baby’s age in weeks minus the number of weeks he or she was premature. For example, if your baby was born eight weeks early, at six months of age, your baby’s corrected age is four months. Depending on how premature he or she was, there may be some developmental delays for the first year or two. Don’t be alarmed. Most preemies catch up quickly!

If you would like to know more about preemies or want to talk to one of our nurses, please feel free to give us a call at 304-344-4511. We also have a module in our Earn While You Learn program with more information on this topic.

When you’re faced with an unplanned pregnancy, it can be a huge shock. Anxiety sets in and you may feel you’re in an impossible situation.

Shock

Worry

Doubt

Fear

These are all normal feelings, and you’re not alone. Every day we walk through these feelings with women who are in the
same shoes as you.

You’re probably feeling pressure. Pressure to make a decision and make it quickly. But getting the facts is crucial and knowing your options can change the situation drastically. At Cross Roads, we would love to walk with you through this. We can give you all the facts with a guarantee of no judgement in a caring and confidential atmosphere. We want you to make the decision that’s best for you.

If you find yourself in this situation, your next best step should be to make sure you have a viable pregnancy. This means that your pregnancy is developing within the uterus. Only an ultrasound can determine this, and we offer them to you free of charge. We don’t refer or provide abortions, but our goal is that every woman makes an informed decision about her pregnancy.

Considering Terminating Your Pregnancy?

You need to know the answer to two questions first.

How far along are you in your pregnancy? The cost of an abortion as well as the type of abortion is determined by how far along you are in your pregnancy.

Do you have a viable pregnancy? It is possible to have a positive pregnancy test without having a viable pregnancy. A viable pregnancy is evidenced by a fetal heartbeat and that the baby is developing in the right place (the uterus).

The answer to both of these questions can only be determined by an ultrasound. Make an appointment today!